Improvement in gates



' H. S. WOLFE.

Gate.

No. 201,3l9. Patented March 12, I878.

WITNESSVES H I INVENTOR falfmaz} Z7 Mada/Wm ATTORNEY U vrrnn S 'rA'rE's PATENT OFFICE.

'HonAoE s. woLFE, or ELxHART, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT 1 GATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 201,319, dated March 12,1878; application filed December 6, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HORACE S. WOLFE, of Elkhart, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Gates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a side view of my improved gate. Fig. 2 is a view of the latch-post. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the supporting-post and swing-bar, and Fig. 4 is avertical section of the gate and swing-bar. i

This invention has relation to improvements in swinging and sliding gates.

The invention relates to certain improvements in that class of gates which are capable of a sliding motion upon rollers for the purpose of partially opening the gate, as well as a swinging motion for the purpose of fully opening the same; and it has for its object to provide an improved support and fastening for the free end, of the gate when closed, as more fully hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A designates the latch-post, and A the supportingpost, bounding a gap in a fence or inelosure. The post A has a stop, at, extending from end to end thereof upon its side opposite the post A, upon which are rigidly secured spaced transverse cleats b, extending out equally beyond said stop. This stop also has averticallyvibrating barbed latch, o, pivoted thereto. The post A is higher than the latch-post, as shown in Fig. 1, and supports a sufficiently strong swing-bar, B, connected thereto by means of two or more hinges, c, recessed into the said post and bar, and allowing the latter to vibrate relatively to the former in an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees, or less. Upon this bar are rigidly secured strong angular metallic brackets 61 d, the former of which is the uppermost, and is provided with a roller, 6, in the space between it and the said bar.

The gate 0 is composed of longitudinal rails f, arranged at a suitable distance apart, and secured to and between the end cleats g g of the central brace h, and of two diagonal struts or braces, l, the said braces and struts being upon the same side of the structure. Between the rails and struts and brace, wherever they intersect each other, and at the lower edges of theformer, spaeesiareformed bymeans of spacing-blocks i, or by rabbeting the under side of the rails, or other equivalent means, the object of which will hereinafter appear.

The gate is hung upon theguides old of the swing-bar B, withthe unbraced side of the gate next to the said bar. In this position the rails of the gate are between the guides d d and the swing-bar, and the lower edge of one of the rails bears upon the roller 0 of the upper guide, the corresponding edge of a second rail being engaged with, but not bearing upon, the lower guide 01. The gate is thus allowed the vibrating movement of the swing-bar to the extent of an arc of ninety degrees, and is capable of being opened by a sliding movement to a degree that will allow a pedestrian to pass through the gap, or to its full extent for the passage of a vehicle, this result being due to the spaces 2' between the rails and the braces, through which the guides d d pass during this sliding movement without opposition. The gate may also be opened by sliding until it balances upon the guide d, and then swinging it out at right angles to its former position, thereby disclosing the whole gap. When the gate is closed its rails rest upon the cleats b aforesaid, thereby supporting one end, and a dowel-pin, j, upon the inside cleat g, enters an orifice in the swin g-bar, thereby supporting the other, the said gate being held in the position of closure by swinging the barbed latch 0 over upon the adjacent bar into engagement therewith.

This gate is converted into'a swinging one by passing a pin, 11, through registering perforations in the guide 01, one of the rails of the gate, and the swing-bar B.

In the drawings, Fig. 1, the gate is shown with a space under its lower rail, which allows free passage to small stock, but shuts out the larger varieties. It will be in this or a higher positionwhen the ground is covered with snow, so that it may be readily opened and closed.

By unshipping the gate and engaging the rails thereof next above those shown in ention when closed, and the latch to lock the same, substantially as specified. 7

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

v HORACE S. WOLFE. Witnessesi HENRY V. CURTIS, T. J. STIOKDALE. 

